Alan Davidson

Skunk

Appears in
Oxford Companion to Food
Oxford Companion to Food

By Alan Davidson

Published 2014

  • About

skunk an animal notorious for the horrible smell which it can emit, exists in a number of species, of which Mephitis mephitis, the striped skunk, is the best known. This animal has a range in N. America from Canada down to N. Mexico. Head and body length may be 45 cm (18") and weight up to 5 kg (11 lb).

The awful smell is a measure of self-protection. The jet of fluid emitted from the anus may travel nearly 4 m (12') and be smelled half a mile away. The glands responsible for this must of course be removed if the animal is to be eaten. However, if this and other preparations are carried out properly, it makes good food.